Texas House Bill HJR119

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing certain elected county or district officeholders to become candidates for a countywide office of the same county without automatically resigning from the office already being held.

Impact

The proposed amendment could significantly alter the landscape of local elections and governance. By allowing officeholders to pursue higher county roles without resigning, it may lead to increased competition and potentially more experienced candidates in county elections. This change could foster a more robust political environment where elected officials can multitask and leverage their existing roles while vying for additional responsibilities. Additionally, the amendment may encourage more public servants to engage in elections, knowing they do not have to risk their current positions.

Summary

HJR119 proposes a constitutional amendment that would permit certain elected county or district officeholders to run for a countywide office within the same county without the necessity of resigning from their current position. This bill aims to modify Section 65(b) of Article XVI of the Texas Constitution, which mandates automatic resignation when a candidate announces their intent to run for any other office that isn't a countywide office elected by the entire county. The amendment seeks to create more opportunities for individuals already in public office to seek further roles without facing the immediate loss of their current positions.

Contention

While the amendment aims to enhance electoral participation among current officeholders, it could also raise concerns regarding the balance of power within local governments. Critics may argue that it could lead to incumbents exerting undue influence over elections, diminishing the chances for challengers. Moreover, there are concerns about whether this could create a situation where elected officials are distracted by their ambitions for higher office, potentially impacting their current duties. As such, legislators may face challenges in garnering support for this amendment, balancing the pros of increased candidacy against the potential drawbacks of incumbency advantages.